Railroad-spike



(NoModeL) J. H. MORGAN.

RAILROAD SPIKE. No. 252,892. Patented Jan. 31,1882.

if 2 i WITNESSES ATENT FFEGEO JAMES HENRY MORGAN, OF BRUNSWICK, MISSOURI.

RAILROAD-SPIKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 252,892, dated January 31, 1882.

Application filed September 24, 1881.

Brunswick, in the countyofGh'ariton and State.

of- Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railroad-Spikes; and 1 do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being bad to the accompanying-drawings, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a perspective view. Fig. 2 is'a sectional view on the line as no, and Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3 y.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are denoted by like letters of reference.

This invention relates to railroad and other large spikes; and it consists in certain improvements in theconstruction of the same, which will be hereinafter fully described, and

particularly pointed out in the claim.

Ain the drawings indicates the shank or body, 13 the head, and O the point, of my improved spike.

The shank A, which is shown in cross-section in Fig. 2 of the drawings, has two of its sides, D D, made concave or fluted vertically, as shown, while the two remaining sides E E are made convex or bulging.

The head B is formed, in the usual manner, with a lip, F, projecting beyond one 6f the sides of the spike. The construction of the head, however, is immaterial, and forms no part of my present invention.

(No model.)

The point C is formed by chamfering the convex sides E ot'the spike, so as to form asharp edge, G, the fluting or concavity of the sides Dbeing continued down along the straight sides of the point, as shown at H H.

By the construction of the spike as above described a much'larger bearing-surface is gained than in an ordinary square spike of the same Weight, and it will consequently bind much more firmly and safely. The configuration of the sides being continued down to the very edge of the point renders the spike more readily driven and the wood less liable to split; and, finally,.owing to its peculiar construction,the spike is not liable to turn or twist while being driven, thus weakening its hold upon the rail flange.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the my own I have hereto afiixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' JAMES HENRY MORGAN.

Witnesses:

E. BOWMAN, E. A. BOWMAN. 

